I've heard from several of the writers who will be doing reviews on my book: they've already received their copies of The Piercing Bible in the mail! Meanwhile (here in Mexico) I'm empty handed. I guess the slow mail service is one of the few drawbacks of living here. I'm glad they got their copies already--but frankly--I want one too!

This lovely comment was made (along with some very apt criticism of the medical and pharmaceutical industries) on my posting about emu oil.

Elayne, I love you! I've been in your periphery for many years and I have *never* seen or heard the faintest unpleasant whisper about you. That alone is admirable, but then you have to go and be a skilled, caring and intuitive facilitator for all us perverts. You've earned your wings ten times over!
D'Arcy

Today I looked at the Amazon.com page for The Piercing Bible, and I saw that 80% of the people who visited the page purchased my book! That's a super-high "conversion rate" for a retail website. Of course I know the figure can change, but that really knocked my socks off! Well, it isn't as though there is some other title to choose if someone is looking for a reference book all about piercing. : )

If you are a body piercer or have just been curious as to what goes into getting a body piercing then this is the book for you. I was amazed at all the information that there is in this book. Elayne was able to break down each piercing individually and write about the correct placement, style and size jewelry for each. I feel one of the best parts of the book is when she talks about the risky piercings and why they can be dangerous. It just goes to show that just because a piercer offers this piercing doesn't mean that it should be one that you get. I look forward to reading the rest of the book and I know that it is one that I will be sharing with others.

I received an email from a piercer who wanted to know about the safety of performing "dimple" or cheek piercings:

I have heard horror stories that piercing someone cheeks can hit a wrong nerve on someone. I was wondering if that was true? I was taught that there is no danger in doing this piercing? Do you have a set measurement that you use on people as to make sure not to do any damage? I'm really uncomfortable performing any sort of piercing if there is a very big risk involved.

I explained that I no longer do cheek piercings due to the WORST complications that ever happened to somebody I pierced. For better or worse, it happened to me. In my book you can read the detailed explanation of why I don't do cheek piercings beyond the first molar. The areas of concern are the parotid duct and gland, rather than a particular nerve. I let her know she might be able to preview the story about it on page 119 of my book here on google books.
She called her client who had been interested in getting cheek piercings to decline, and then she emailed me again in understandable frustration:

UHHHHHHHHHHH PEOPLE PISS ME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I called my client back today and told her very nicely that I was no longer offering cheek piercings and explained to her why and even told her about the story in her book..... You know what her response was to this??? "Well do you know anyone else in the area that does them?" ??? WTF!!!!! Hello didn't I just tell you a horror story and explain to you WHAT can happen!!! uhhhhhhhhhh I just don't get people sometimes!!!

We can lead people to good information, but it doesn't mean they'll use it. Or in this case, I can't help thinking, "We can't educate people who don't have half a brain."

If you have male genital piercings and wish to participate in a research study about them, go to this URL and click on the text "Survey for men who have genital piercing." My esteemed colleague, Dr. Myrna Armstrong, a professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, has been participating in scientific research about piercings and the people who wear them for many years. It is wonderful that these subjects are being taken more seriously by the academic and medical communities.
Dr. Armstrong completed a similar survey of women with genital piercings, and I recently reviewed the manuscript containing the findings of the study. It was very interesting indeed! It will be submitted for publication in a nursing journal.
This is the introduction to the survey from the site referenced above:

People get pierced for many reasons. The purpose of this survey is to ask about experiences with your genital piercing (s). For this study, body piercing, such as a genital piercing is defined as the insertion of sharp implements to create an opening for decorative ornaments such as jewelry. There are no anticipated risks to answering the questions. This nursing study can assist health care providers in giving advice to other people who have or are considering genital piercing. Your completion of the survey indicates your consent to participate in this study.
Note, some of these questions address some common myths about people with piercings. Please do not be offended. We are trying to obtain accurate information so these myths can be addressed. Please answer the questions honestly so we might have a good description of men with genital piercings.

If you qualify, please participate or send the information to someone who can!

This one just about made me blush today. It was so nice that this woman took the time to write to me:

Hi Elayne,
I have been thinking about your upcoming book release and the signing. How exciting! I have tried to imagine how I would feel in your shoes. I am so pleased for you and so proud for you.
As a businesswoman in this world which is not always kind, you have made big headway. I own a small company and know what a hard boss I have! You have really excelled in your career even before this book of course. I think you should give yourself a big pat on the back for your accomplishments!
This is starting to sound like cheerleading - lol! Anyway, I think it is great that you have new things going on in your life. I do plan to purchase your book and I am sure that I will learn so much from it.
Have a great time at the signing and at the piercing convention. It's the other side of the States for me so I will not be attending but I will be sending you good thoughts!
Best,
Dawn

I got some more information from the gal who wanted info on sewing her lips together:

It would just be for a photoshoot. my boyfriend would be there for support and to make sure nothing goes wrong, but i am probably going to be doing it myself. he is very insistant that he doesn't want to "hurt me" even if i'm asking him to. it's for the lips on my face. i have been looking into suture kits. would that be best for the situation.

Hi again,
It depends on how you want the image to look. One of the easiest ways is to use long hypodermic tips and spear both lips with the needles. Then use some type of cord or ribbon (that has been suitably prepped--certain types of cloth can be autoclaved) and lace it around the needles. I think that looks aesthetically pleasing--kind of corset-like.
If you want actual "thread" through the piercings then you are best off with a thick gauge suture thread. Unfortunately, compared to hypo tips and piercing needles, most suture needles are TOUGH to push through the skin! That's all going to be quite a bit bloodier than the first suggestion I made.
You could go with a larger size, like a 12 ga and put 14 gauge tygon through. But it doesn't tie well like thread or fabric.
It depends on the affect you wish to achieve--but make sure you prep the area with a surgical scrub, wear gloves, and use sterile implements. That means autoclaved! Not dunked in alcohol or put over a flame!!
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Elayne